When you think of a Utah festival, you probably think of the Sundance Film Festival. But, there are several music festivals in Utah that are worth knowing about too, and they range across all kinds of tastes and genres! These are the 13 best 2024 Utah festivals.
Like Colorado, Utah has several sites marked by red rocks, adding a surreal and magical atmosphere to many of its festival offerings.
Utah loves music and has embraced new genres like EDM and dance as well as hip hop on its festival scene. But it is also deeply proud of its historical Americana roots. Blues has seen a re-emergence here, and Bluegrass and Country are also well-represented.
Some of these Utah music festivals do not run over a conventional weekend. Many are extended as part of city programs. So, for example, you’ll encounter a festival running throughout the summer, but only on specific days. Others are attend-only, non-camping festivals.
Even so, the numerous outdoor venues invite lots of exploration, whether in a public park or in one of the state’s amazing natural amphitheaters. Here are some great festivals that you need to check out if you’re planning a visit to Utah. Also, be sure to read my guides on Top 50 USA Music Festivals & EDM Festivals USA for more festival adventures in 2023!
And check out my articles on Festival Hydration Backpacks, Festival Camping Packing List, Festival Shoes, and Festival Gadgets to enhance your experience by having all the best gear!
1) The Deer Valley Music Festival
Credit: Deer Valley Music Festival Utah
When: July-August, 2024
Where: Park City, Utah
https://deervalleymusicfestival.org/
Deer Valley Music Festival already sets itself apart from any other music festival in Utah by its duration. Rather than run over a weekend or a few days, it actually takes place over several weeks. For five weeks in the summer, Park City hosts music programs for four nights a week. This is a classical music lover’s paradise, featuring performances from the Utah Symphony. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s only for lovers of orchestras.
The fun part of this festival is the guest lineup. Artists and performers from all genres join up for collaborations – it has played host to artists like Elvis Costello, Randy Travis, and even Gladys Knight. Staying in Park City is easy, as there are plenty of top-class Airbnbs to pick from in the city.
2) Utah Blues Festival
When: June 14-15, 2024
Where: Salt Lake City, Utah
https://utahbluessociety.org/the-utah-blues-festival
https://www.facebook.com/utahbluessociety/
Utah’s biggest and best blues music festival!
Blues seems to find an audience all over the world. So it’s strange that for a time blues were dangerously thin on the ground in Utah. This is ironic, as some of the Blues’ major icons got early audiences here.
Thankfully, the Utah Blues Society has worked to restore blues culture to the state, and today can boast the Utah Blues festival as a major annual event. The festival was launched in 2015, with the idea to gather the nation’s finest blues musicians on one stage over Father’s Day Weekend.
The festival runs an extensive set of side programs, including blues education in schools, a musician assistance fund, and a scholarship program. Expect to see some of the country’s best-known blues legends alongside the best of the young guns.
3) Hive Music Festival Utah
When: June, 2024 (TBC)
Where: Salt Lake City, Utah
https://www.facebook.com/Hivefestivalslc/
Hive is all about hip hop. The most recent festival in 2021 was headlined by Post Malone. It’s primarily a vehicle for some of the most promising young artists in the genre. But there is also the stated promise of at least one unannounced major act every year.
The festival takes place in downtown Salt Lake, so there is no camping. The festival is officially all ages and is a high-energy celebration and platform for a truly evolving genre.
4) Ogden Music Festival
When: May 31-June 2, 2024
Where: Fort Buenaventura, Utah
https://ofoam.org/ogden-music-festival
https://www.facebook.com/OFOAM
“The Ogden Music Festival is our signature event that brings together friends and fans of acoustic music from Ogden and beyond, and is the perfect way to start your summer on a high note, whether it’s high, lonesome bluegrass or some hot licks on the fiddle. We couldn’t be more excited for 2024!
Working together with the hundreds of artists, vendors, volunteers, sponsors, and logistical teams, it’s our collective dream to promote and celebrate Ogden’s arts, culture, and natural beauty with residents and visitors, alike. Kids, 16 and younger, are invited to attend the festival for free, with the hope that their experience with live, traditional music performed in an outdoor setting will inspire this next generation to keep these traditions alive. Kids of all ages will love OFOAM’s WILL & WAY Instrument Petting Zoo and other music and outdoor-themed crafts and activities.”
5) Ogden Twilight
When: June, 2024 (Various Shows)
Where: Ogden, Utah
https://www.ogdentwilight.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ogdentwilight/
Ogden lies north of Salt Lake City. It’s usually associated with its proximity to ski resorts and winter holidays on the slopes. But the city itself is a pretty well-regarded shopping hub, and in summer it turns into a popular music festival destination. Downtown Ogden is where the great music and enthusiastic crowds come together for Ogden Twilight. Ogden Downtown is walkable and easily accessible from Salt Lake City via the Frontrunner Commuter Rail.
Each concert sells 8000 tickets at capacity, and the lineups range from edgy indie to rock to electronic. Blonde Redhead and Death Cab for Cutie have been among the big names showing up for the fans.
6) Das Energi Festival
The best of the Raves in Utah | Credit: Don Idio Visuals
When: August, 2024
Where: Great Salt Lake, Utah
https://dasenergifestival.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DasEnergiFestival
Das Energi is primarily for those who love to dance to top-notch EDM. This festival takes place over two days. It has a number of dance floors, one of which is indoors. All the “stages” are themed, making the experience quite imaginative and fun. The venue in question is The Great Saltair, on the shore of Great Salt Lake. The festivities and the music start at 5 pm each day of the festival and run until 2 am.
Though no camping occurs, shuttles can transport attendees from downtown Salt Lake City or the airport area. For those driving, limited parking is available each day.
7) Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series
When: May-September, 2024
Where: Salt Lake City, Utah
https://redbuttegarden.org/concerts/
Technically, this is a series of top-class touring shows scheduled over the summer months at this iconic venue. But it’s also a true festival of a music celebration for all music fans. Many of the nation’s top artists pass by here on their travels. Some of the luminaries that have appeared over this program season include Santana, Willie Nelson, Wilco, Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones, and others.
The venue is an auditorium offering both assigned seating plans and picnic space on the lawn. It makes for a wonderful open-air atmosphere in which to appreciate some of the finest adult contemporary music genres in the country. Red Butte Garden – not to be confused with red Butte, Arizona – is actually a huge botanical garden. It is operated by the University of Utah. You can wander the hikes and trails in the beautiful setting before and after your concerts. Red Butte Garden is visited by hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Note: Dates differ annually so be sure to visit their website for confirmation.
8) Moab Music Festival
When: August-September, 2024
Where: Moab, Utah
The Red Rocks of Utah are well known, in part because they seem to invite such a deep appreciation of nature. They also have become connected to music, given the abundance of music venues nestled within the red rock contexts of the Utah, and Arizona hills. Moab is one of these places, seemingly alien in some respects. It seemed an ideal space to kick up a music festival happening over two weeks in late summer. Moab prides itself on being predominantly acoustic-focused.
But there’s a lot more going on under the skin of this festival. For example, if you’re crafty enough, you could be one of the concertgoers who are wicked off via boat to a secret location for a special performance. There are a couple of other venues for other shows, too, for the less adventurous to enjoy. But the highlight is undoubtedly the festival-ending rafting trip which runs for several days, dotted with special musical performances along the route.
9) Salt Lake Twilight Concert Series
When: June-August, 2024
Where: Salt Lake City, Utah
https://saltlakearts.org/twilightconcertseries/
This festival happens as a series of Thursday concerts that celebrate summer, great music, and great Utah outdoors. It’s been running for 30 years and is an annual city calendar highlight.
Pioneer Park is a popular public park for events and music festivals in Salt Lake City, and just as the sun begins to set, people gather on the green with picnic blankets, baskets, and wine to settle in for some top-class classics.
Food trucks park along the edges, vendors and refreshment stations pop up, and there’s a wonderful atmosphere of celebration in the air. And yet, there’s something about this particular set of concerts that feels more like an event. It’s not a typical concert in the park. There’s a real sense of excitement about these.
10) Lyceum Music Festival
When: June, 2024
Where: American Fork, Utah
https://lyceummusicfestival.com/
Classical and orchestral music lovers aren’t forgotten in Utah. Each year, students from the American Heritage School invite guests and top collaborators to prepare an annual program of classics. This is largely youth-focused but well worth a mention for those wanting to hear some orchestral magic from these young proteges. The festival also invites other students and their families to participate.
Key to the success of this amazing festival for Utah was the collaboration of the Utah Symphony, which often participates in the event. It’s a wonderful initiative well worthy of your support.
“LOVE music MORE with us at Zion National Park. LMF combines top music industry soloists and faculty including Utah Symphony musicians to create a unique orchestral music camp for students”
11) Park City Beethoven Festival
When: July-August, 2024
Where: Park City, Utah
https://www.facebook.com/beethovenfestivalparkcity
“The Beethoven Festival is a series of four seasonal festivals – the summer festival being the longest. During any given year the Festival will present over 30 public concerts.”
12) Country Fan Fest
When: July 24-27, 2024
Where: Tooele, Utah
https://www.countryfanfest.com
“Country Fan Fest is a 4-day country music festival at Deseret Peak in Tooele, Utah.”
13) Kilby Block Party
When: May 10-12, 2024
Where: Salt Lake City, Utah
https://www.kilbyblockparty.com
“Kilby Court’s flagship music festival in downtown SLC celebrates by bringing together incredible local music community, internationally renowned artists, and a variety of local greats. ”
Looking for more epic music festivals in the USA?
There are many more destinations in the US that are fantastic opportunities to experience a festival. Even though the most popular ones happen in summer, there’s something at every time of the year to satisfy your music bug. Here are just a few of the finest music festivals around the country worth checking out.
- 37 California Music Festivals That’ll Keep You Dancing All Year Long
- Top 20 San Diego Music Festivals | The Ultimate SD Festival Bucket List
- The Best 25 Music Festivals in Texas To Experience Before You Die
- The Top 25 Music Festivals in ARIZONA To Experience Before You Die
- The Best 25 Music Festivals in FLORIDA To Experience Before You Die
- 37 California Music Festivals That’ll Keep You Dancing All Year Long
- The 13 Best Music Festivals in New York to Experience Before You Die
- The Top 10 Music Festivals in Colorado To Experience Before You Die
- Top 21 Music Festivals in LAS VEGAS To Experience Before You Die
- 15 Epic Music Festivals in MICHIGAN To Experience Before You Die
- 20 Vancouver Music Festivals To Add To Your Bucket List
Thanks for reading about the best Utah music festivals in 2024!
Share this list with your Utah festival crew!
The biggest & best music festival that is MADE for local artists to perform at is the Take the Lake: Artist Showdown in Festival. It will be happening at The Utah Creative Chamber in Taylorsville this year. Thousands of artists, fans, vendors, sponsors and A&Rs will come together to decide the winner of TAKE THE LAKE!!!
Learn more about the festival on the website provided!